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Parallel plots in King Lear
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Importance of the Parallel Plot in King Lear
Literature can be expressed using many different techniques and
styles of writing, some very effective and others not as much. One of the
methods chosen by many is the use of so called "parallel" plots.
"Parallel" plots, or sometimes referred to as minor, give the opportunity
of experiencing a secondary storyline going along with the main plot that
otherwise would be unmentioned. William Shakespeare shows excellent use of
a parallel plot in his play "King Lear", but some question it's
essentiality by asking: Is it really necessary? Does it help the story or
does it degrade it? Is the Gloucester's plot really needed? Many argue
that it is very important and others say it is completely useless. This
essay will try to prove that the parallel plot used in "King Lear" is
needed and it adds to overall value of the play.
Like any other kind of literature "King Lear" contains many themes;
one of which is the "parent-child relationship" conflict. Relationship
problems are very common, not only in novels but also in everyday life.
Lear starts the entire dilemma of hate and destruction by his foolish
desire for flattery. He divides his kingdom between two of his daughters
and the never ending crave for power and wealth begins. As we can assume
from the play's title, Lear and his daughters are part of the main plot.
The plot of Gloucester and his sons, is considered parallel.
Gloucester is portrayed also with family problems. He experiences
trouble with his two sons, Edgar and...
... middle of paper ...
...noring it would be negligent. It is a very
important part of "King Lear" and it serves a great purpose. If William
Shakespeare ignored the plot in the first place, his point would not be
passed through at the level it is passed on now. I am sure Shakespeare
knew it very well that Gloucester's character and actions help to
understand the play better and improve it. The answer to many who question
the parallel plot and it's presence is simple. The plot is necessary and
without it, the play would not reach the position at which it stands right
now. William Shakespeare was aware that by including the so called
parallel plot, he was increasing the value of his own work. Gloucester's
plot is one of the essential parts of the entire play. Removal or
ignorance of it will diminish the significance of the entire idea.
The play of "King Lear" is about a search for personal identity. In the historical period in which this play is set, the social structure was set in order of things closest to Heaven. Therefore, on Earth, the king was at the top, followed by his noblemen and going all the way down to the basest of objects such as rocks and dirt. This structure was set up by the people, and by going by the premise that anything that is man made is imperfect, this system cannot exist for long without conflict.
Beginning in the late 17th century, producers of King Lear removed the Fool from productions of King Lear. He did not return until 1838. Producers greatly diminished both King Lear and Lear as a result.
The issue of prayer in school cannot be dealt with in a manner that will please everyone. The main thing that needs to be stressed is that tolerance of other people and their beliefs is the only true way to ensure that everyone has freedom and equality in America. Until that day comes there will always be groups of people who cause disruption in our schools and take away from what the focus really should be: quality education and an understanding of others as well.
King Lear gathered his three daughters and was thinking about giving them his kingdom divided equally. King Lear made each daughter take her chance and to express her love for him, before he can give them a part of the Kingdom. After Goneril's sweet deceiving words of extreme love and loyalty and Reagan's Fancy admiring words, Cordelia’s speech seemed bad. Cordelia said the truth, however she was punished by her father.
A strong case can be made for King Lear as Shakespeare's most tragic effort of his career. The fact that nearly the entire cast of this play either is murdered or dies with little to no redemption makes the strongest case for this. In nearly every other Shakespearian work, save perhaps Othello, at least some of the characters enjoy a bit of redemption or salvation with the resolution of the conflict. King Lear's characters are privy to neither of these. The bitterness, sadness, and reality of the human psyche that is contained throughout this work demonstrate its tragic nature best, however.
We, as the audience, can tell that King Lear is full of anger which he directs towards his eldest daughters because of the way they have treated him. He has taken verbal blows from each of his eldest daughters which have caused what was left of his sanity to be destroyed. Lear seemed a bit senile in the first place, but the mistreatment by his daughters removed the final ounce of sanity he had left. We can clearly see and examine this by the way he shouts at the raging storm: Rumble thy bellyful! Spit, fire! Spout, rain!/Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire are my daughters.(3.2.16-17)
Throughout history, people have created super heroes in times of trouble to bring hope to people. Anglo Saxon heroes were also created in times of trouble, like the superhero Beowulf. Like modern day heroes, Beowulf exemplifies many characteristics that make them admirable heroes. Beowulf can connect to modern day heroes through his actions shown during battle, and his boasting. Throughout all of Beowulf’s battles, he exemplifies courage, selflessness and loyalty, which makes him similar to a modern day hero.
A hero is defined as a man distinguished courage or ability; someone who is admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. When people are oppressed by an evil tyrant, a hero will rise above the circumstance, and conquer the evil that has harmed the people he wants to protect. The Anglo Saxon writer produced a great representation of a hero in Beowulf. If alive today, the protagonist Beowulf would be considered a hero. He possess attributes such as superhuman strength, unshakable bravery, and the willingness to not ever give up until the fight was won. Beowulf has the same attributes that many of the other heroes we have come to know have. The story Beowulf will paint a clear picture of what a hero should be like and show that Beowulf would be considered a hero if alive.
With today’s violence among teens rising, most people would like to know why? Does it have anything to do with the way we are raising our children? Some would blame the parents for their child’s aggression, or some would declare that it only has to do with the peers the child associates themselves with, and others would blame media, such as television or video games. Well, which is it? What is the main cause for teen violence today?
Shakespeare's King Lear is a play which shows the consequences of one man's decisions. The audience follows the main character, Lear, as he makes decisions that disrupt order in his Kingdom. When Lear surrenders all his power and land to his daughters as a reward for their demonstration of love towards him, the breakdown on order in evident. Lear's first mistake is to divide his Kingdom into three parts. A Kingdom is run best under one ruler as only one decision is made without contradiction. Another indication that order is disrupted is the separation of Lear's family. Lear's inability to control his anger causes him to banish his youngest daughter, Cordelia, and loyal servant, Kent. This foolish act causes Lear to become vulnerable to his other two daughters as they conspire against him. Lastly, the transfer of power from Lear to his eldest and middle daughter, Goneril and Regan, reveals disorder as a result of the division of the Kingdom. A Kingdom without order is a Kingdom in chaos. When order is disrupted in King Lear, the audience witnesses chaotic events that Lear endures, eventually learning who truly loves him.
King Lear by Shakespeare portrayed the negative effects of power resulting in destruction caused by the children of a figure with authority. Through lies and continual hatred, characters maintained a greed for power causing destruction within their families. The daughter’s of Lear and the son Gloucester lied to inherit power for themselves. Edmund the son of Gloucester planned to eliminate his brother Edgar from his inheritance.
Shakespeare’s plays Hamlet and King Lear share many similarities. One prevalent similarity is the theme of betrayal and revenge and how betrayal leads to karmic justice through revenge. Both plays are well known Shakespearean tragedies revolving around the affairs of noble families(wracked with greed) in charge of powerful kingdoms. The plays both possess main characters who betray their family for personal gain, an upsetting of the natural order due to betrayals, and revenge for committed betrayals.
Disowning her because she refuses to exaggerate her feelings for him, whereby she only says she loves Lear as a daughter should love a father is his first major mistake and it is mirrored in the sub plot through the actions of Gloucester. There we see that he too immediately casts judgement on his loyal son Edgar and disowns him as a result of manipulation by Edmund. Therefore although overall it could be said that the two tragic heroes in this play are King Lear and Gloucester, we see that in Act One Cordelia and Edgar are characters to be sympathised with as they too are engulfed in tragic circumstances. The main way in which the sub plot mirrors the main plot is through the tragedy that falls upon both King Lear and the Earl of Gloucester. King Lear can be seen as a tragic hero because we as the audience experience pity for him and feel that he does not deserve the severity of his punishment.
Shakespeare, William, Barbara A. Mowat, and Paul Werstine. The Tragedy of King Lear. New York: Washington Square, 1993. Print.
According to Aristotle, a tragic hero is one of noble upbringing who undergoes a reversal of fortune. The hero must then realize that their peripetia is a direct result of their own tragic flaw. King Lear in William Shakespeare’s King Lear and Willy Loman in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman both share the tragic flaw of being blind to reality, but Lear fits the remainder of Aristotle’s description more accurately. It is evident that Lear holds these tragic qualities because he is born of a noble birth, receives pity, and is able to see the truth. On the contrary, Willy Loman lacks these same characteristics. As a result, he fails to accept his mistakes unlike Lear did, proving that the one who more precisely